The Geography of Environmental (In)Justice in New England

Abstract

Environmental burdens, like noxious industry and pollution, and environmental amenities, like open space and affordable transportation, are not distributed either randomly or equitably across New England. Despite demographic and economic differences, every state in the region exhibits a common pattern of environmental inequities that puts the most vulnerable communities at greatest risk while shielding the most privileged. Luna summarizes recent research on the geography of environmental inequities across New England and how these inequities relate to both the history and contemporary reality of race and class-based inequities and discrimination. This presentation was part of the Contemporary Issues Faculty Lecture Series and was co-sponsored by the Earth Day Planning Committee.